On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Tompkins County Progressives and members of the Ithaca community gathered at The Space at Greenstar Natural Foods Market for a “This is What Democracy Looks Like!” meet-up. This event was the first of many community meet-ups where community members were invited to educate themselves on a series of important issues and take action on local government concerns.

Emily Adams, co-chair of The Tompkins County Progressives, a grassroots organization dedicated to the promotion of progressive issues at the local level organized the “This is What Democracy Looks Like!” event.

“It gives them a chance to network with people who are there for them, are able to work with them and are willing to make teams,” said Adams. “If you have a team and you’re working towards something, you have a better chance of getting it done and even if you don’t achieve what you want, you’ve made friends.”

The event featured twelve presentations from a variety of experts on progressive issues. Among these topics was “Perfecting the Progressive Pitch” facilitated by public affairs specialist and Ithaca College lecturer Ann-Marie Adams. Previously, Ann-Marie Adams had met with Emily Adams to discuss issues in the recent election. They found the opportunity in coalescing around the election in order to create a community locally.

“We wanted a movement to keep people engaged that were a part of the election process that may have been disillusioned,” Ann-Marie Adams said.  “The issues are varied, the people are varied, and we’re in a climate now where that works.”

Anne-Marie Adams’ focus is on the next generation. “Our room tonight was older,” Adams said. “If this form is not what’s going to attract the next generation, that much of what we implement through legislation is going to impact, then my goal is to find ways to get millennials and next generations to the table.”

Emily Adams said that millennials are a perspective that community members need to be aware of in order to diversify the discussion.

“We want to get contacts of students at Ithaca College and Cornell University who would have their own table to education people on an issue, said Emily Adams.  “It could be a campus issue, community issue or a generational issue.”

Another facilitated conversation was “Advocacy on Behalf of Refugees by Laurie Konwinski, Deputy Director of Catholic Charities.  Konwinski coordinates the Justice and Peace Ministry, which aims to educate and activate people on social concerns connected with issues of refugees and immigrants.

According to Konwinski, Catholic Charities had been designated as a refugee resettlement agency that would have welcomed 50 people to the Ithaca community this year. However, the executive order issued by Trump has put the agency on hold.

“We’re heartbroken, we’re frustrated,” Konwinski said. “But were also encouraged by the response of the community and by their support and by their solidarity.”

Konwinski and her organization are working to make the Ithaca community aware of their opposition to Trump’s executive order. A recent Post Card Campaign collected over 2600 post cards addressing the issue and making their voice heard in favor of a refugee resettlement program. Konwinski said she was pleased with the outcome of the night’s event.

“It was very energized, people were very kind and very enthusiastic,” she said. “It feels hopeful.”